Salvaging Penile Venous Stripping Surgery

Abstract

Disappointing functional outcome and penile deformity are major concerns of penile venous surgery. Consequently, it has been abandoned by most urologists. To explore whether penile deformity is correctable and erectile function can be improved, we report our experience in patients who had undergone surgery elsewhere. From 1986 to 2008, 16 consecutive patients sought our assistance because of poorer erectile capability or/and penile deformity from previous venous surgery elsewhere. The abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to score the patients when it became available in 1998. Accordingly, 3 and 13 patients were categorized into the non-IIEF and IIEF groups, respectively. A median longitudinal pubic incision and a circumferential or semicircumcision were made to relieve the fibrotic tissues for accessing the deep dorsal veins, which were stripped thoroughly and ligated with 6-0 nylon sutures. The cavernosal veins were managed in a similar manner. The paraarterial veins were ligated only segmentally. Finally, the wound was approximated while an assistant consistently stretched the penile shaft. The operation time was 5.2 to 8.5 hours. The follow-up period ranged from 0.6 to 23.0 years. Overall, all patients reported satisfactory penile morphology postoperatively. In the IIEF group, the difference in preoperative and postoperative scores was significant (P < .001). In the non-IIEF group, 2 of the 3 patients reported natural coitus. This series of salvaging venous surgeries, although technically challenging, are helpful in correcting penile deformity and restoring erectile function in some patients who had poorer outcomes from prior venous surgeries.